440 balancing

Are there some machinists out there who can help with a 440 balancing question? I am re-building a blown 440 for a friend. It was originally a std bore, stock .010"/.010" forged crank with TRW pistons and stock rods. We changed to Eagle H-beam rods and SRP (JE) pistons. I am working with a machine shop who builds racing engines - this is the first time I have had them do any work for me and he is telling me that the crank is modified and he can't balance it. He says that "the counterweights have been machined and that someone has cut grooves in the counterweights". He told me that "he has to take 200 grams out of the crank which is almost impossible". Look at any 440 crank and the rear counterweights are machined on outside diameter and the grooves that he is talking about are also in all 440 cranks. How do I respond to him? Thanks

Find another shop !!

Also, 200 grams is close to a 1/2 pound ... did he leave a piston and rod out ?!?!

X2 on another shop.

I like light stuff and use a spec 2050 gram crank and we go to 1700 gram bobweights with zero issues.

If the shop has a big lathe he can take 200 grams off the crank bobweight by cutting the counterweights down. If he doesn't have a big lathe then you might be out of luck.

I am not a machinist, but I have built several BBM with the kind of short block you describe, balancing was never a problem. I would select a different shop.

Sounds like an excuse to me, I mean come on, you could use a grinder, if it came to it. 200gr doesn't surprise me.

A factory 440 has a bobweight over 2700 grams (depending on year etc.)
Just reducing all the counterweights from 7.50" dia to 7.44" dia would remove about 200 grams.
Alternatively, drilling a 1" dia hole 0.9-inch deep (plus the drill tip) in both the front and rear counterweight will remove about 200 grams.

Not a problem at all. I have seen more holes before.

He said the crank “was modified” well he certainaly don’t wanna see my ‘balanced’ Hemi crank

200gms remove isn't a problem, when it's 200+ gms "add" you start getting angry at the customer and take it out with the billing pen. This guy isn't familiar with the job or doesn't want to do it. Take it elsewhere. S/F....Ken M

Thanks, I would think that this would be a non-issue but the local machine shop that I have used for years closed a few years ago - never had a problem with them - they even used to build USAC Hemis back in the 60-70s. I have been trying different shops, but I guess you don't know how good you have it until you don't have it anymore.

"Machine shops" are a lot like other professions, you have to look hard to find the best ones